Whole body MRI scanning with moving table and interactive control

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes a method and apparatus for high sensitivity whole body scanning using MR imaging. The invention includes acquiring MR data as the patient moves through the iso-center of the magnet while providing interactive control for the operator to change scan parameters and table motion and direction. The technique allows efficient whole body scanning for fast screening of abnormalities while allowing operator control during the screening process to interrupt table motion and redirect the speed and direction of the table while also allowing control over the acquisition plane, number of sections imaged, inter-section spacing, and the scan location.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation and claims priority of U.S.Ser. No. 10/063,829.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), and more particularly to, a method and apparatus for rapid wholebody scanning with continuous table motion and image acquisition.

When a substance such as human tissue is subjected to a uniform magneticfield (polarizing field B0), the individual magnetic moments of thespins in the tissue attempt to align with this polarizing field, butprecess about it in random order at their characteristic Larmorfrequency. If the substance, or tissue, is subjected to a magnetic field(excitation field B1) which is in the x-y plane and which is near theLarmor frequency, the net aligned moment, or “longitudinalmagnetization”, MZ, may be rotated, or “tipped”, into the x-y plane toproduce a net transverse magnetic moment Mt. A signal is emitted by theexcited spins after the excitation signal B1 is terminated and thissignal may be received and processed to form an image.

When utilizing these signals to produce images, magnetic field gradients(Gx Gy and Gz) are employed. Typically, the region to be imaged isscanned by a sequence of measurement cycles in which these gradientsvary according to the particular localization method being used. Theresulting set of received NMR signals are digitized and processed toreconstruct the image using one of many well known reconstructiontechniques.

Conventional techniques for whole body imaging or screening usingmagnetic resonance imaging typically requires multiple positioning andrepositioning of the patient to image over a sufficiently largefield-of-view (FOV). As a result, whole body screening examinations areoften partitioned into two or more separate examinations. In manyinstances, a patient must return at a later date to complete theexamination due to contrast agent uptake and passthrough.

Other so-called moving table techniques include stepping the tablethrough increments and obtaining data at each increment. Thesetechniques do not acquire data while the table is moving, but onlybetween each of the stepped increments. These techniques are nottime-efficient and since the increments must be pre-defined and theacquisitions times accordingly, there is no ability to provideinteractive control and the results are prone to gradient warping.Further, attempts at imaging while the table is moving are also prone togradient warping distortion and require some form of image correction.Such techniques may also require phase encoding in the direction oftable motion and require predefined knowledge of table speed and/oracceleration/deceleration and are therefore not susceptible tointeractive control during image acquisition.

It would therefore be advantageous to design a method and apparatusincorporating a fast technique that is sensitive to abnormalities andallows the physician to quickly survey the entire body to locate regionsof abnormalities, such as signal enhancement that is indicative oftumors, with a continuous moving table and with the ability to changethe acquisition plane, the pulse sequence, table speed and/or thedirection of table motion to thereby focus in and better characterizethe abnormality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the aforementioned problems by providing amethod and apparatus for MR image acquisition that allows continuousscanning while the patient table is in translation and providesinteractive control of scan parameters, table motion and/or tabledirection.

The proposed method allows fast imaging of the whole body for efficientscreening for the presence of abnormalities, such as tumors or cancer,in a rapid interactive manner with high sensitivity. The regionsidentified in the initial screening examination can be further studiedin greater detail to identify tumor characteristics and provide thenecessary high specificity needed in such exams. The proposed techniqueinvolves continuously scanning during table translation and does notrely on generating a large FOV composite image. The interactive controlscheme makes efficient use of imaging time by tailoring the acquisitionplane and spatial coverage to each anatomical region.

Since the present invention is not limited to generating a single largeFOV composite image, it does not need to employ a Fourier transform in adirection of motion. The present technique can therefore incorporateinteractive control to make efficient use of the imaging time bytailoring the acquisition plane and spatial coverage to each anatomicalregion. Scanning parameters can be changed to allow interactive highresolution/tumor specific characterization or inspection of the suspectregions. The present technique allows for continuous variation ofimaging parameters such as transmitter and receiver gains and localizedshim settings. Since each data acquisition is reconstructed to anindividual image, phase variations and gradient non-linearityconsiderations that are encountered in generating large FOV images areof no consequence in the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, since the table is in continuous translationspecific anatomical regions will only be imaged while moving through themagnet iso-center where the magnetic field homogeneity is most optimalto provide improved signal-to-noise ratio and gradient field linearity.As a result of implementing continuous moving table imaging withinteractive control, multiple views of the same anatomical region can beobtained to not only decrease the chances of false positives, but alsoincrease the sensitivity for adequate detection. That is, the proposedtechnique calls for an interactive scan that allows an operator to enteran initial number of multi-planar sections with an initial inter-sectionspacing, and as the patient traverses through the iso-center of themagnet the operator is allowed to adjust the number of sections imaged,the section spacing, the section scan locations, as well as theacquisition plane. Positions where abnormalities such as lesions areidentified, are noted or bookmarked for a more detailed study that cantake place immediately, because of interactive table motion anddirection control, or can be done after the whole body screen iscompleted.

A method of acquiring MR images is disclosed which includes positioninga subject on a movable table, entering initial table motion control dataand scan parameters, and automatically moving the movable table, basedon the initial table motion control data entered, and acquiring MR databased on the scan parameters entered while the movable table is inmotion. The method also includes allowing entry and modification ofeither or both the table motion control data and the scan parameterswhile automatically moving the table and acquiring MR data.

An MRI apparatus is disclosed to provide highly sensitive whole bodyscreening that includes an MR imaging system having a plurality ofgradient coils positioned about a bore of a magnet to impress apolarizing magnetic field. An RF transceiver system and an RF switch iscontrolled by a pulse module to transmit and receive RF signals to andfrom an RF coil assembly to acquire MR images. The MRI apparatus alsoincludes a patient table movable under computer control within the boreof the magnet and a computer programmed to receive initial scanparameters and table translation parameters, translate the table, andacquire MR data while the table translates. The computer is alsoprogrammed to allow reception of user input during patient tabletranslation and modify translation in response thereto. Additionally,the computer can receive user input of scan parameters and modify the MRdata acquisition in response to the modification.

The technique of the present invention is also disclosed with respect toa computer program stored on a computer readable storage medium which,when executed by a computer, causes the computer to move a patient tablethrough an MR scanner and simultaneously acquire MR data while thepatient table is moving. The computer program also has instructions thatcan cause the computer to allow and receive user input and in responsethereto, manipulate patient table speed, patient table direction, orvarious scan parameters in real-time, defined herein as either real-timeor near real-time, as those skilled in the art will readily recognize.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method ofidentifying a tumor in a patient is disclosed. The method includesplacing the patient on a movable table, translating the movable tableand acquiring MR data as the patient moves through a magnetic field.This method also includes reconstructing MR images of patient anatomy asthe movable table is translating and analyzing the MR images. If an areaof interest is identified for further study, the process includesreturning the movable table such that the area of interest is within themagnetic field and modifying MR data acquisition parameters inreal-time. Images can then be acquired that are either of higherresolution or in a different plane to allow further analysis andcharacterization of the tumor.

Various other features, objects and advantages of the present inventionwill be made apparent from the following detailed description and thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate one preferred embodiment presently contemplatedfor carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an MR imaging system for use withthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top planar view of the patient table of FIG. 1with depiction of a patient thereon and being movable under computercontrol in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a technique of the present invention for usewith the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the major components of a preferred magneticresonance imaging (MRI) system 10 incorporating the present inventionare shown. The operation of the system is controlled from an operatorconsole 12 which includes a keyboard or other input device 13, a controlpanel 14, and a display screen 16. The console 12 communicates through alink 18 with a separate computer system 20 that enables an operator tocontrol the production and display of images on the display screen 16.The computer system 20 includes a number of modules which communicatewith each other through a backplane 20 a. These include an imageprocessor module 22, a CPU module 24 and a memory module 26, known inthe art as a frame buffer for storing image data arrays. The computersystem 20 is linked to disk storage 28 and tape drive 30 for storage ofimage data and programs, and communicates with a separate system control32 through a high speed serial link 34. The input device 13 can includea mouse, joystick, keyboard, track ball, touch activated screen, lightwand, voice control, or any similar or equivalent input device, and maybe used for interactive geometry prescription and patient table speedand direction control.

The system control 32 includes a set of modules connected together by abackplane 32 a. These include a CPU module 36 and a pulse generatormodule 38 which connects to the operator console 12 through a seriallink 40. It is through link 40 that the system control 32 receivescommands from the operator to indicate the scan sequence that is to beperformed. The pulse generator module 38 operates the system componentsto carry out the desired scan sequence and produces data which indicatesthe timing, strength and shape of the RF pulses produced, and the timingand length of the data acquisition window. The pulse generator module 38connects to a set of gradient amplifiers 42, to indicate the timing andshape of the gradient pulses that are produced during the scan. Thepulse generator module 38 can also receive patient data from aphysiological acquisition controller 44 that receives signals from anumber of different sensors connected to the patient, such as ECGsignals from electrodes attached to the patient. And finally, the pulsegenerator module 38 connects to a scan room interface circuit 46 whichreceives signals from various sensors associated with the condition ofthe patient and the magnet system. It is also through the scan roominterface circuit 46 that a patient positioning system 48 receivescommands to move the patient to the desired position for the scan.

The gradient waveforms produced by the pulse generator module 38 areapplied to the gradient amplifier system 42 having Gx, Gy, and Gzamplifiers. Each gradient amplifier excites a corresponding physicalgradient coil in a gradient coil assembly generally designated 50 toproduce the magnetic field gradients used for spatially encodingacquired signals. The gradient coil assembly 50 forms part of a magnetassembly 52 which includes a polarizing magnet 54 and a whole-body RFcoil 56. A transceiver module 58 in the system control 32 producespulses which are amplified by an RF amplifier 60 and coupled to the RFcoil 56 by a transmit/receive switch 62. The resulting signals emittedby the excited nuclei in the patient may be sensed by the same RF coil56 and coupled through the transmit/receive switch 62 to a preamplifier64. The amplified MR signals are demodulated, filtered, and digitized inthe receiver section of the transceiver 58. The transmit/receive switch62 is controlled by a signal from the pulse generator module 38 toelectrically connect the RF amplifier 60 to the coil 56 during thetransmit mode and to connect the preamplifier 64 to the coil 56 duringthe receive mode. The transmit/receive switch 62 can also enable aseparate RF coil (for example, a surface coil) to be used in either thetransmit or receive mode.

The MR signals picked up by the RF coil 56 are digitized by thetransceiver module 58 and transferred to a memory module 66 in thesystem control 32. A scan is complete when an array of raw k-space datahas been acquired in the memory module 66. This raw k-space data isrearranged into separate k-space data arrays for each image to bereconstructed, and each of these is input to an array processor 68 whichoperates to Fourier transform the data into an array of image data. Thisimage data is conveyed through the serial link 34 to the computer system20 where it is stored in memory, such as disk storage 28. In response tocommands received from the operator console 12, this image data may bearchived in long term storage, such as on the tape drive 30, or it maybe further processed by the image processor 22 and conveyed to theoperator console 12 and presented on the display 16.

The present invention includes a method and system for acquiring MRimage data for use with the above-reference MRI system, or any similarequivalent system for obtaining MR images.

Referring to FIG. 2, a patient 100 is shown supported on a computercontrolled, movable table 102 which is controlled by CPU 36 of systemcontrol 32 of FIG. 1. The movable table 102 may be moved or translatedfore and aft as indicated by arrow 104 through the bore of magnet 106 inthe MRI apparatus 10. Thus, patient 100 may be selectively positionedwithin the bore of main magnet 106 and the motion of the table is undercomputer control along axis 104. Additionally, the system can bedesigned to allow movement of table 102 laterally as indicated by arrows108.

The present invention is particularly sensitive to locating tumors ortumor markers and allows a physician or clinician to quickly survey theentire body to locate regions of signal enhancement that is indicativeof tumors, and allow modifying the acquisition plane and pulse sequenceto characterize the tumor or lesion. Such evaluation of abnormalregions, such as tumors and lesions, requires both the detection of theabnormality and the proper delineation of its anatomic extent (i.e.staging). Although this can be achieved using the inherent MR propertiesof tissue, such as T1 or T2 weighting, it is often desirable to usecontrast agents to provide sufficient contrast-to-noise ratio forconfident diagnostic evaluation of abnormal tissue. It is generallyknown that such contrast media provides improved contrast throughvascularity differences between abnormal and normal regions. Whensurveying a patient for possible tumors, it is desirable to acquire MRimage data of the entire length of the patient. Such whole body imagingis typically conducted by moving a region of interest to the magnetiso-center 110, bringing the table to a stop, and then acquiring MRdata. After acquiring an entire set of data for that anatomical sectionof the patient, the patient would be translated to a second position,stopped, and data again would be acquired. A certain amount of overlapbetween the scan stations is typically desired to enable effectiveregistration of images from one scan station to the next to form asingle image covering the entire extent of the imaging region for allstations. In the example of FIG. 2, the pulmonary system 112 of patient100 is in the iso-center 110 of magnet 106. Monitors 114, 116, and 118can be placed in close proximity to vessel 120 to monitor the travel ofa contrast agent through patient 100, if desired. However, the presentinvention is not limited to the use of bolus detection and does notrequire contrast agent, although utilizing contrast enhancement is acurrent preferred embodiment of one aspect of the present invention.

Further, it is preferred that all imaging be performed at the magnetiso-center while the table 102 is translated to allow imaging in theoptimal or “sweet spot” of the magnet to reduce image artifacts. Thetechnique of the present invention includes continuously scanning whilethe table is in translation and can perform multi-planar fast imaging.

Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary flow chart depicts a method accordingto the present invention that can be implemented in a computer programfor use with the MR apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. After acquiringpatient data and initializing the MR apparatus 200, the patient ispositioned on the movable table 202. Initial scan parameters and tablemotion parameters are then defined at 204. Initially, the multi-planarfast imaging sequence includes an operator determined plane through ananatomic region of interest. Under computer control, the table is thenmoved and MR data is acquired at 206. The images are immediatelyreconstructed at 208 for evaluation to enable interactive control. Thatis, after acquiring images using the operator determined plane, apredefined number of multi-planar sections, and initial inter-sectionspacing, the operator is able to adjust the number of sections imaged,the section spacing, the section scan locations, as well as theacquisition plane in virtual real-time. The operator is given theopportunity to enter new scan parameters and/or table motion parametersat 210. Table motion parameters can be entered via any convenient inputdevice, such as a joy stick, mouse, track ball, etc. as described withreference to input device 13, FIG. 1.

If the operator chooses to continue to scan 210, 212, the table willcontinue to move, preferably at a constant speed, while MR data isacquired and as the patient traverses through the iso-center of themagnet. Positions at which abnormalities are identified are noted orbookmarked for a more detailed study either at that moment or after thewhole body screen is completed. If the operator elects to perform thedetailed study immediately, new scan data and/or table motion parameterscan be entered at 210 to modify the pulse sequence and/or table movement212. In this manner, since the table translation is under operatorcontrol via the input device 13, FIG. 1, the operator is givensufficient degrees of freedom to control the speed and direction oftable motion. The operator can then tailor scanning for areas ofcontrast enhanced tumors by having control over the acquisition plane,number of sections image, inter-section spacing, and the scan location.This technique allows the operator to tailor scanning, while accountingfor individual patient variations and specific disease characteristics.After acquiring data in the area of abnormality 214 and reconstructingimages for analysis 216, the operator is given the ability to modify thescan parameters and/or the table motion again 218, 220. Once sufficientimages have been acquired 218, 222, the operator can then decide whetherto finish the whole body scan 224, 226, in which case the scan and tableparameters are reset 230 and whole body scanning can resume at 206, orthe operator can elect to conclude the examination 224, 228 and end thestudy 230.

When the specific areas of abnormality, such as tumor enhancement, havebeen identified, the operator can return the table to specific locationsand acquire high spatial resolution functional images to characterizethe type of abnormality using known methods such as contrast materialuptake, with a corresponding further administration of contrast agent ortumor specific markers, diffusion, multi-parametric imaging, or anyother characterization method.

Accordingly, the present invention allows fast screening of the entirebody for the presence of abnormalities such as tumors or cancer in arapid interactive manner with high sensitivity. In order to provide thecorresponding high specificity information, regions identified in thescreening examination can be studied in greater detail to provideabnormality characteristics.

The proposed technique does not rely on methods of generating large FOVcomposite images and therefore can tailor the acquisition plane inspatial coverage for each anatomical region. Such an interactive systemmakes efficient use of imaging time by providing a system that allowsefficient screening while allowing the operator to hone into a specificregion of interest in real-time. In other words, the operator is giventhe ability to interrupt a whole body scan when an abnormality isindicated and reverse table motion to acquire high resolution images ofthe abnormality immediately. Alternatively, or in addition, the operatoralso has the option of acquiring images in a different plane with orwithout higher resolution or with different section spacing or even witha different pulse sequence. The combination of options is limitless andthe present invention is not limited to any particular set of scanparameters. The present invention is particularly advantageous when acontrast agent is used in conjunction with bolus detection so that theanatomical region can be analyzed when the contrast agent uptake is at ahigh level. Further, unlike composite image techniques, the interactivecontinuous table motion technique of the present invention allows forcontinuous variation of imaging parameters such as transmitter andreceiver gains and localized shim settings. Since each set of data isreconstructed as its own image, phase variations and gradientnon-linearity considerations that are encountered in generating largeFOV images become irrelevant.

With continuous moving table imaging, together with real-time tablemotion control, multiple views of the same anatomical region can beobtained and any specific anatomical region of the body will always movethrough the magnet iso-center where the magnetic field homogeneity isthe most optimal. The ability to acquire multiple views of the sameanatomical region decreases the chances of a possible false positive andalso increases the sensitivity for detection of abnormalities.

Exemplary studies were conducted on a GE Medical Systems 1.5 Tesla CV/iMR scanner with high performance gradients. Patients were scanned withpulse sequences that continuously acquired and reconstructed data inreal-time while the patient was in continuous translation. Multiple 2Dsections were continuously acquired while table speed was controlledbetween 0.5 and 10 cm/sec. However, the preferred speed of translationwas found to be 0.5 cm/sec for optimal spatial coverage and imageacquisition time. While it is believed that the present technique willrender itself useful with many pulse sequence types, including 3Dimaging, initial investigation found satisfactory results with both aninversion recovery fast gradient echo (IR-prep) and a fast imagingemploying steady-state acquisition (FIESTA) acquisition. In the IR-prepsequence, T1 times of between 400-600 msec. were used with a TR time of6.3 msec., a TE time of 2.1 msec., and a flip angle of 30°. Other scanparameters that provided satisfactory results included an FOV of 36-42cm, sections of 7-10 mm, a matrix of 256×160 with 0.5 NEX and a receiverbandwidth of plus/minus 31.25 kHz. In all cases, fat suppression is auser selectable option. With fat suppression enabled, a spectrallyselective inversion pulse was used with a T1 of 20 msec. For the FIESTAsequences, scan parameters were similar but with a TR/TE/flip=3.7msec./1.5 msec./45°, along with a 1.0 NEX and plus/minus 125 kHzreceiver bandwidth. An intermittent fat suppression RF pulse was appliedevery 40 RF excitations for fat suppression.

Imaging data was acquired continuously with the table moving at 0.5cm/sec from the neck to the lower leg using IR-prep sequences and FIESTAbefore and after intravenous contrast in several subjects. Axial scansrequired a mean of 3.2 minutes to cover the required anatomy whereascoronal acquisitions required a mean of only 1.5 minutes. Axial scanswere non-overlapping and demonstrated occasional slice heterogeneity butwere remarkably free of motion artifacts. Coronal scans wereconsiderably overlapped allowing multiple views of the same region ofinterest. Additional intravenous contrast improved overall signal andintensity. This technique provides screening images with rapidmulti-planar coverage of the whole body and continuous scanning of theiso-center of the magnet provides minimal motion artifacts.

Accordingly, the present invention includes a method of MR imageacquisition that includes positioning a subject on a movable table,entering table motion control data and scan parameters, andautomatically moving the movable table based on the table motion controldata entered. The method also includes acquiring MR data based on thescan parameters entered while the movable table is in motion andallowing entry and modification of either or both the table motioncontrol data and the scan parameters while automatically moving thetable and acquiring MR data.

The invention also includes an MRI apparatus for whole body screeningthat includes an MRI system having a number of gradient coils positionedabout a bore of a magnet to impress a polarizing magnetic field and anRF transceiver system and an RF modulator controlled by a pulse controlmodule to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly to acquire MRimages. The MRI apparatus also includes a table movable under computercontrol within the bore of the magnet and a computer programmed toreceive initial scan parameters and table translation parameters andtranslate the patient table and acquire MR data while the patient tabletranslates. The computer is also programmed to allow reception of userinput during patient table translation and modify translation inresponse thereto and allow reception of user input of scan parametersand modify MR data acquisition in response thereto.

The invention also includes a computer program stored on a computerreadable storage medium that can cause the computer to move a patienttable through an MR scanner and simultaneously acquire MR data while thepatient table is moving and allow user input and in response thereto,manipulate at least one of the patient table speed, direction, and scanparameters in real-time.

The invention also includes a clinical process of identifying a tumor ina patient that includes placing the patient on a movable table,translating the movable table and acquiring MR data as a patient movesthrough a magnetic field. The process further includes reconstructing MRimages of patient anatomy as the movable table is translating andanalyzing the MR images. If an area of interest is identified forfurther study, returning the movable table such that the area ofinterest is in within the magnetic field and modifying the MR dataacquisition parameters in real-time to acquire MR data with either ahigher resolution or of a differing plane to further analyze the area ofinterest.

The present invention has been described in terms of the preferredembodiment, and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, andmodifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible andwithin the scope of the appending claims.

1. A method of MR image acquisition comprising: positioning a subject ona movable table; entering initial table motion control data and scanparameters; automatically moving the movable table based on the tablemotion control data entered; acquiring MR data while the movable tableis in motion based on the scan parameters entered; and allowingmodification of the initial table motion control data and the scanparameters while automatically moving the table and acquiring MR data.2. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing interactivecontrol of table motion and scan parameters that include control overand adjustment of at least one of: speed of the movable table, directionof table motion, and pulse sequence for MR data acquisition.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the step of acquiring MR data includes abilityto continuously scan while the movable table is in translation using amulti-planar fast imaging pulse sequence.
 4. The method of claim 3further comprising the step of initially selecting a desired plane forMR data acquisition through an anatomic region of interest, and as thesubject traverses through a magnet iso-center, allowing operatoradjustment of at least one of a number of sections imaged, sectionspacing, section scan locations, and imaging plane.
 5. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising providing an ability to interrupt scanningafter identifying an abnormality of interest, reversing the movabletable and acquiring high spatial resolution image data.
 6. The method ofclaim 5 wherein the abnormality of interest is a tumor and furthercomprises the steps of acquiring functional images and characterizingthe tumor using one of contrast media uptake, diffusion, andmulti-parametric imaging.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprisingtailoring acquisition plane and spatial coverage to each anatomicalregion desired during MR image acquisition in real-time.
 8. The methodof claim 1 further comprising allowing continuous variation of imagingparameters including transmitter/receive gains and localized shimming.9. The method of claim 1 further comprising obtaining multiple images ofa same anatomical region to decrease false positive possibilities. 10.An MRI apparatus with sensitive whole body screening ability comprising:a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system having a plurality of gradientcoils positioned about a bore of a magnet to impress a polarizingmagnetic field and an RF transceiver system and an RF switch controlledby a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly toacquire MR images; a table movable under computer control within thebore of the magnet; a computer programmed to: receive scan parametersand table translation parameters; translate the table according to thetable translation parameters; acquire MR data according to the scanparameters while the table translates; allow reception of user changesto the table translation parameters during table translation and if soreceived, modify translation in response thereto; and allow reception ofuser changes to the scan parameters during data acquisition and if soreceived, modify MR data acquisition in response thereto.
 11. The MRIapparatus of claim 10 wherein MR data is acquired continuously duringtable translation.
 12. The MRI apparatus of claim 10 wherein tabletranslation is approximately 0.5 cm/sec. and scan times areapproximately one second to thereby reduce motion artifacts.
 13. The MRIapparatus of claim 10 wherein the computer is further programmed toallow user-selectable fat suppression and when selected, apply anintermittent fat suppression RF pulse.
 14. The MRI apparatus of claim 10wherein the computer is further programmed to monitor flow of anintravenous contrast agent.
 15. The MRI apparatus of claim 10 whereinthe computer is further programmed to acquire data of a region ofabnormality in multiple planes in real-time.
 16. The MRI apparatus ofclaim 10 wherein the computer is further programmed to allowmanipulation of at least one of image obliquity, table speed, tabledirection, and pulse sequence parameters such as inversion time, flipangle, and sequence type in real-time.
 17. The MRI apparatus of claim 10wherein the computer is further programmed to acquire functional imagesand allow characterization of lesions in real-time.
 18. The MRIapparatus of claim 10 wherein the computer is further programmed to varytransmitter gain, receiver gain, and shimming on demand by a user.
 19. Amethod of identifying a tumor in a patient comprising: placing a patienton a movable table; translating the movable table and acquiring MR dataas the patient moves through a magnetic field; reconstructing anddisplaying MR images of patient anatomy as the movable table istranslating; and analyzing the MR images and if an area of interest isidentified for further study, returning the movable table such that thearea of interest is within the magnetic field and, modifying MR dataacquisition and table translation parameters in real-time, and acquiringone of higher resolution MR data and differing plane MR data to allowfurther analysis of the area of interest.
 20. The method of claim 19further comprising allowing manipulation of at least one of imageobliquity, table speed, table direction, inversion time, flip angle,transmitter gain, receiver gain, and shimming during at least one oftable translation and MR data acquisition.